AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Appropriations Committee late Wednesday voted not to increase funding for Efficiency Maine, as Democrats had hoped.

Numerous businesses and several environmental organizations had urged lawmakers to boost funding for the program over the next two years, from $28 million to $52 million. That’s the portion of Efficiency Maine’s budget that is supported by a surcharge on electricity bills for nearly all ratepayers — the primary source of funding for the program.

Efficiency Maine had sought to increase the monthly surcharge to $1.13 next year and $1.82 in 2013.

Without the additional revenue, the agency will not be able to reach its goal of providing $840 million worth of energy savings for consumers over the next three years, said directors of Efficiency Maine.

Gov. Paul LePage and GOP lawmakers opposed the increase because it would raise electricity rates.
 


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